It has now been close to a year since the Nakuru Player’s theatre was shut down.

On September 1, 2025, creatives from Nakuru made unsuccessful attempts to “occupy” the venue in a show of their frustrations over the prolonged closure of the theatre.

However, their cries fell on deaf ears. Five months later, the theatre stands dormant. Overgrown grass greets you at the main entrance, and the surrounding bushes press inward, reclaiming the space.

A pin-drop silence settles over the compound, an ironic echo of a place once defined by voices, music, and life.

In yet another bid to re-open the theatre Nakuru resident Eng Evans Kimori has embarked on a signature collection exercise before he files a petition to the County Assembly of Nakuru seeking urgent intervention to reopen the Nakuru Player’s theatre.

In his petition, he decries the adverse effect the prolonged closure of the theatre has had on the creatives in Nakuru county.

“The prolonged closure has led to the loss of vital creative and learning space for artists and students. Additionally, students miss out on the set book performances and live theatre learning,” he says.
Additionally, he notes that the theatre houses century-old photographs, props, costumes and archives crucial to Nakuru’s cultural history and the absence of a functioning theatre deprives the public of access to the arts and limits youth engagement in constructive cultural activities.

Kimori therefore wants the county assembly to intervene in the matter and ensure immediate discussion on the status and timelines of the renovation for Nakuru Players Theatre.

.Nakuru players theatre

Photo credit: BRET SANYA /MTAA WANGU

“Allocate the necessary budget and oversight to reopen and maintain the theatre in a manner that supports local artists and preserves its heritage. Also, the county assembly should engage stakeholders, including local artists, community representatives and supporters such as the ministry of heritage in decision-making to ensure transparency and alignment with the interests of the creative sector,” he says.

During an interview with Mtaa Wangu on September 2, 2025, the theatre’s Chairman, Eric Wanyama, noted the closure was initially triggered by allegations of mismanagement of funds, prompting an independent audit by trustees upon request from members.

However, what was supposed to take a month or two has dragged on for more than half a year, in what the creatives describe as a “prolonged and unjustified audit process.”

“You cannot tell me Nakuru Players Theatre needs six months to audit. This delay is unjust and unconstitutional. We want answers,” Wanyama said.

Creatives, poets, artists, singers have over time shared their frustrations with Mtaa Wangu over the prolonged closure of the theatre and the adverse effects it has had on their crafts.

Nakuru creatives protest ‘neglect’ by county government

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Bret Sanya